Stopper for bottles and the like



`July 3l, 1923.

H. J. BRAGDON STOPPER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed 00T.. 4, 1919 Erf/@f mullllmnu IIIII Patented July 31, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT J. BBAGDON, F `ALTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TH GIIGAGB BTPPE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F IIrL-OIS.

STOPPER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE.

Application led October 4, 1919. Serin-11 No. 328,407.

To all whom. t may concem:

Be it known that I, HERBERT J. BRAGDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alton, county of Madison, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Stoppers vfor Bottles and the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being hud to the accompanyingr drawing, forming a part thereof.

This invent-ion relates to a certain new and useful improvement in Stoppers for bottles and other containers, the chief object of my present invention being to provide or construct en efficient stopper adeptred for repeated use, which may be readily inserted or fitted into the neck of a bottle, which. when inserted or itted into the neck of n bottle, will he automatically effectively' held in fluid-tight engagement With the bottle, and which may be conveniently removed from the bottle Without the :11d 0r use of a cork-screw or other such implement or tool.

W' ith the above and other objects in view. my present invention resides in the provision of an elicient stopper adapted for repeated use includingY in its construction a body comprising a strip of suitable materiel coiled, wound or spooled upon itself and constructed with the outer layer of its spooled strip preferably fixed from unwinding and the inner layers of its spooled strip relatively loose.

The stopper so constructed isV adapted to be forced into the mouth of a bottle or other container' so that the body of the stopper will be compressed by the container Wall. The stopper thus compressed within the container will forni ai fluid tight olosure, und actuel experiments have demonstrated that the stopper 'will withstand very considerable gaseous pressures Within the container. Nevertheless, the stopper may be readily removed from the oontainer when desired by a` rotative movement of the heaxl of the stopper. Such rotative movement more tightly Windsl the coiled material formingr the body of the stopper, this being made possible by the fact that et its periphery the body of the stopper is friotionally retained by the Well of the container, while the inner convolutions of the coil are loosely enough wound .to permit of further coiling. It is obviously true that i the coil will be frictionally retained at its periphery Aby Vthe container wall to permit this further Widin Whether the outeii convolutions of the ooibe free or Whether they be fixed from unwinding by hesive or by e closure cap, as is preferably the case in order to permit repeateduse of the stopper. By rotative movement of the head and consequent tighter ceiling of the body of the y Figure 3 is an elevational View of the core -v or winding-post of the stopper; y

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan View of the core or Winding-post;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cap having engagement in `the finished stopper with the core or windingfpost for facilitating axial turning or vvinczlinp;` of the core or post; y

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a olosure-cap for the inner end of the stopper;

Figure 7 is a lplan view of the core or Windingfpost with the'body-strip and auxiliary spring-strip held7 or engaged therein preparatory to formation of the finished stopper` showing by anarrow the direction of winding of the strips to form the finished stopper;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the finish-ed or complete stopper;

Figure 9 is an elevational view ot the.

.stopper operatively disposed in a bottleneck shown. in vertical section; 4

Figure' l0 is en elevational view of the stopper with a slightly moeliied form of closureeap y Figure 1 1 is a; view, partly in elevation and porti in vertieal section, ofv a slightly modified erm of stopperadaptecl especially for bottles t-he neck-S of which are formed with on internal shoulder-i;

Figure 12 is also a view, partly in elevation and partlygjin vertical section of another slightly modified for-rn of stoppen; 1 i

Figure 13 is a view in elevation of a conical or tapered stopper embodying my invention in slightly' modified foi-11,1;

Figure 14 is a plan View of the strip used in forming the body of the stopper illustrated in Figure 13;

Figure 1.3 is a verticals'ectional view of still another modified form of stopper einbodying my invention; and

Figure 16 isa fragmental plan view of the strip used informing the body of the stopper illustratedin Figure 15.

Referring to the said drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and more especially noviY to the preferred form of stopper illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, both inclusive, l'indicates a substantially cylindrical corev or post constructed preferably ofsheet metal, slotted' longitudinally, as at 2. from its upper end toclosely adjacent its lower end, and provided at its upper end with prongs 3-3, for purposes shortly appearing. i

' 4 indicates a strip `otsuitable material, such as, for instance, manilla paper, of preferably some stiffness, but possessing prei'- erably inherently some resilient flexibility. The strip fl is of suitable length depending upon the desired circumferential size of the finished stopper and preferablyV is of rectangular-oblong shape, the strip 4, when Wound or spooled, as hereinafter appearing, forming or providin what .T may term or designate the body o the stopper'.

5 indicates a substantially rectangularoblong shaped section of thin spring metal, such as, for instance, steel. This strip 5 is preferably of somewhat less Width and. considerably shorter in length than thc main strip 4, as seen especially by reference to Figures 1, 2, and 7.'

In the formation of the stopper, the strips 4 and 5, disposed in ativiserelation, are inserted through' the slot 2 of the post 1, post 1 being disposed substantially midway the length of the strips, `as seen in Figure 7 and in this connection it will he noted in Figure 1 that the main strip 4 is provided approximately centrally and at its lower end with a cut-out G adapted to accommodate the lower` non-slotted end of the post 1. The post 1 is then axially rotated counter-clock wise, or in the direction' of the arrow, Figure 7, and the strip 4,together with the, and afterwards concealed, strip 5, coiled, Wound or spooled more or less to-tightly thereabouts, a space in the Winding preferably immediately adjacent'the core or post, as shown, beingprovided Vto permit of some compression of the stopper-on insertion into a bottle and also vto facilitate removal of the stopper as more fully hereinafter appears. As seen in Figure o, the lower end oi post l is preferably in about the same plane as the lower margin of the strip Il, which result is incident to the eut-out o. After the Strips et and o have been so Wound or spooled about the core or post l, and in order to obviate or prevent axial leakage through the stopper, I fix over the lower end of the spooled strip a and the post 1 a closure-cap T, which is constructed of any suitable preferably flexible material, such as relatively thin rubber-lined paper pressed into cup-shape. By preference, securenient of the cap is effected by a dab or two of suitable glue or cement applied at a point or two on the inner peripheral or flanged surface of the cap for adhesion to the outer peripheral face of the spooled strip 4:. T he spooled strip i and its closure-cap are now preferably suitably coated With paraffin, which increases the durability of the stopper, renders the stopper substantially Water and moisture proof,fand at the same time firmly fixes or holds the outer ends of the strip 4 from unwinding and also additionally secures the closure-cap upon the spooled strip. lt may be here stated that, While the body-strip lf is sofixed at its ends from unwinding, its inner layers are loose one from the other.

For facilitating the axial turning of the core or post 1 and also for finishing the upper end of the stopper, I employ a head 8 preferably constructed of relatively thin sheet metal, pressed into cup-shape, and provided in its top or end Wall with a pair of suitable slots 9-9 for receiving and accommodating the prongs 3 of the post 1, which prongs 3, when fitted through the slots 9, are bent and clenched down upon the cap 8 and the cap 8 thereby firmly and rigidly held in encircling position upon and in connection with post 1 and the spooled or coiled body-strip 4, as seen in Figures 8 and 9. The head or upper cap 8, beiner so arranged to surround the upper end of the coiled or spooled strip 4, serves further, when the prongs 3 are clenched thereupon.` as described, to hold the post 1 and strip 4 together and the outer ends of the strip a from unwinding.

Under the normal or inherent tendency of the strip 4 to unwind, aided in such tcnden cy by the concealed springr or auxiliary tensioning strip 5, the inner layers or Windine's of the strip 4. as Well as the layers or windings of the strip 5, beingr loose one from the other, the stopper will normally tend to assume a particular circumferential dimension or size, that is to say. a particular size adapted to lit a bottle having a neck of corresponding particular size, and as such or normally the stopper is adapted to be forced and compressed into a bottle neck. I have found from experience that the stopper, when so inserted and fitted in the neel; of' the bottle, will automatically effectively engage in fluid tight relation with the neck otr the bottle, and will withstand very considerable pressure Within the container. The stopper may be easily removed, however. by a slight rotation of the headv which causes the core or post to wind the coil more tightly, while at its periphery the coil isiretained by the friction between the container Wall and the periphery of the body, whereby the compression of the stopper within the container wali is released and the stopper rendered readily removable. Preferably the outer periliheral or flanged sui-tace of' the heal or upper rap 8 is knurled, as shown, so that, when grasped to extract the stopper, the head 8 may be readily turned axially to lWind the coil more tightly and release the compression of the stopper Within the container. l/Vlien so removed from the bottle and turning pressure upon the head 8 is rcleased, the stopper will automatically', under the normal or inherent unwinfling' tendency of the body-strip 4, aided in such tendency as before stated by the concealed springv strip 5,tend to assume its full normal size, forrevinsertion into the bottle.

My new stopper may he inexpensively manufactured, has from experience been found mese efficient in operation, and can ne effectively used repeatedly.

In the repeated use of the preferred form of the stopper, just described, the lower cap often crimps` or iolds upon itself at one or more points alongr its peripheral or flanged portion. To obyiate such folding or crimping, the lower cap 7 may be provided With one or more axial cut-outs`10, as shown, the stopper illustrated in Figure 1U being other- Wise identical in torni and construction with the described preferred form of the stopper.

In Figure 11, I illustrate a modified toi-m of the stopper, which is especially designed for use in coz'inection with bottles having an internal shoulder. In this modified form of' shipperF the lower-cap is dispensed with, and a closure-disk 1l preferably of' Waterlight material, such as, for instance, cork, is employed, as shown, to close the lower end ol the stopper-body, the disk l1 being securely held in operative position by a crimpingr thereupon, as at 12, of the lower marginal edge of a container-capsule 13 snugly `lltted about the Wound body-strip 4 sith its upper marginal edge disposed lie-- neath the peripheral or flanged portion of the head or upper cap 8.

In the modified form of the stopper illustrated in Fig. 12, an apykiroximately riei l disk 14 centrally underlies the bodystrip 4. and secured or fixed to the post 1a by means of a prong '15 projecting' from the lower en'd of' the post and clenched as shown upon the disk 14, the stopper being likewise provided, as in the preferred form of' the stopper, with a. lower closure-cap Tb. In this forni of the stopper, which is otherwise than stated substantially identical in term and construction with the preferred form of the stopper, the disk 1 1 serves to reenforce the stopper to withstand, without rupture, relatively hard outward pulls upon the stopper in attempting to remove the stopper from the neck ot' a bottle.

The modified tapering form of the stopper illustrated in Figure 13 has its body formed or constructed of a strip 4a of arcuate shape, as shown in Figure 14, and is adapted especially for use with bottles or other containers Whose necks have a decided taper, the construction of this f'orm of the stopper being otherwise identical with the construction of the preferred form of the stopper.

In Figure 15 I illustrate a modified form of the stopper, in which the Vbody is formed of a strip 4h provided along its upper marginal edge with a ribbon 16 extending separately nearly, but not Wholly, the length of the strip, the ribbon 16 being integral with the strip 4l at its inner end, as seen in Figure 16. In the formation of this form of the. stopper, the strip 4b and the ribbon 16 are simultaneously Wound or spooled in one direi-tion only, in a manner substantially similar to the winding of an ordinary clockspring, the body so formed being closed and the body-strip being held from unwindingat the lower end of' the stopper by a closure-cap 7 substantially similar to the closure-cap T and similarly fixed to the body of the stopper. Fitted upon the body of the stopper at, and to close, .its upper end, is a head or cap 17 formed preferably of a single piece of suitable material, such as paper, to comprise a central circular projection 18, which is disposed Within the wound or spoeled ribbon and strip, as shown. to provide substantially a core for the stopper, and a marginal or peripheral flange 19 which surrounds the wound ribbon 16 and also the upper marginal portion of the strip 4b, servingr thereby to hold the ribbon 1G and the strip 4b i'rom unu'inding. The cap 1T. further` is glued or otherwise suitably fixed at its fiangr 1Q to the ribbon 16 and thus serves additionally as a. Winding member for the .strip el", Normally` as with the preferred l'orm of the stopperr` this modified form of the stopper is ot a circumferential size to fit a particular size of bottleneck and when fitted into the bottle-neck provides a most efficient stopper. To remove the stopper from the bottle-neck, a slight turningr more ment imparted to the head or cap 1i' will. through the engagement of the head or cap 17 with the ribbon 16, which, as before stated, is integral at its inner end with the inner end. of' the strip 4b,

more tightly Wind am) the strip 4b upon itself, the stopper being then readily and conveniently removable from the bottle without the use or aid of a cork-screw or other like tool, and the stopper similarly` as in the preferred form of the stopper, then, on removal, again, under the inherent resilient liexibility of the strip 4b. tending` to assume and take its normal, fully expanded shape, size, and contour.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that Stoppers embodying my invention may have various forms, each, however, being,r possessed of the same general construction and plan ot operation, that is to say, a body comprising a strip of suitableinaterial so Wound or spooled upon itself that the iinished stopper is capable of being compressed within the mouth of a container and the coil thereafter being capable of being more tightly wound, ivhereby the stopper is adapted not only to tit effectively and repeatedly` but also to be removed readily and conveniently` without the aid of a cork-screw or other like tool, from the neck of a bottle or other container with which the stopper is being used; and it is to heunderstood that changes in the form, construction, arrangement.Y and combination of the several parts of the stopper may be made and substituted tor those herein shown and described Without departing from `the nature ,and principle ot' my invention. My invention may be used to great advantage for other purposes than merely and it should be so understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a container-stopper including, in combination, a circumlerentially contractible body comprising a strip of material wound upon itself toa normal circumferential dimension, the outer end ot' the strip being fixed from unwinding and inner windings ot the strip being loose one from the other, and means having.;r connection with the strip for additionally winding the same to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension ol the body.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a container-stopper including, in combination, a circumferentially contractible body comprising a Strip ot material Wound upon itself to a normal circumferential dimension, the outer end of the strip being fixed from univinding and inner windings of the strip being loose one from the other, and means comprising); a head-cap having connection with the strip for additionally Winding; the sume to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension of the body.

3. As a new article ol manufacture, a container-stopper including. in combination, a circumlercntially contractible body comprisfor Stoppers for bottles ing a strip of material Wound. upon itself' to a normal circumferential dimension, the outer end of the strip being fixed from un- Winding and inner windings of the strip being loose one from the other, means comprising a head-cap having connection with the strip for additionally winding the same to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension of the body, and means having envagement with the body for providing a c osure for the lower end thereof.

il. is a new article of manufacture, a container-stopper including a circumferentially contractible and expansible body comprismar a strip of resiliently flexible material Wound upon itself to a normal circumferential dimension, the outer end of the stri p being fixed from unwinding, inner windings ot the stri) being loose one from the other, whereby the strip, after insertion of' the stopper in a container is adapted for additional winding to eontractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension ot' the body to facilitate removal of the stopper trom the container, the body on expansion tondinor automatically to assume its normal circumferential dimension.

As a new article of manulfacture, a colitaincr-stopper int-hiding a circumferentially contractible and cxpansible body comprismar a strip ot resiliently llexible material wound upon itselt1 to a normal circum- 'erential dimension, the outer ond ot' the strip being,r fixed from unvvinding and inner windings oi' the strip being loose one irom the other, and axially rotatable means havingengagement with the strip for additionally winding the same to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension of the body, the body on expansion tending; automatically to assume its normal circumferential dimension.

` (l. As anew article of manufacture, a container-stopper including, in combination, a circumifercntially contractible and expansible body comprisingV inner and outer strips ot diticrent material wound together upon themselves to a normal. circumferential dimension, the outer end of the outer strip bcing,r tired from unwii'idinp,l and inner Windings` oi both strips being loose, and axially rotatable means having connection with both strips 'tor additionally Winding the same to contractingly reduce the normal circumierential dimension of the body, the body on expansion tending1 automatically to assume its normal circumi'erential dimension.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a container-stopper including, in combination, a circumiierentially contractible and expansible body comprisingn an outer strip of paper and an inner strip ot' thin sheet metal wound together upon themselves to a normal circumferential dimension, the outer end of the paper strip being fixed from un winding and inner windings of both strips being loose, and axially rotatable means for additionally Winding the strips to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension of the body, said means including a core disposedwithin and having engagement with hot-h Wound strips, and a headcap disposed uponthe body and having engagement with the core, the body on expansion tending automatically to assume its normal circumferential. dimension.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a container-stopper including, in combination7 a circumferentially contractible and expansible body comprisingr an outer strip of paper and inner strip of thin sheet metal wound together upon themselves to a normal circumferential dimension, the'outer end of the paper strip being fixed from unwinding and inner windings of both strips being loose, means disposed upon the body for providing a closure for the lower end thereof, and axially rotatable means for additionally Winding the strips to contractingly reduce the normal circumferential dimension pf the body, said last-named means comprising a core disposed Within and having engagement with both wound strips, and a flanged head-cap disposed upon and surroundingr the upper end of the body and having engagement with the core, the body on expansion tending automatically to assume its normal circumferential dimension.

9. A container stopper comprising a coiled strip of material compressible by the container Wall and adapted to be friction ally retained at its periphery by the container Wall, and said strip being adapted to be coiled more tightly to relieve the pressure thereof against the container Wall.

l0. A container stopper comprising a coiled strip of material compressiblc by the container wall and adapted to be frictionally retained :it its periphery by the container WalL and Ya member connected with the strip and adapted, on rotation, to coil the strip more tightly to relieve the pressure thereof against the container wall.

ll. A. container stopper comprisinslr a coiled strip of nulrtorial coinprcssiblc by the container vnull and adapted to be 'frictionL ally retained ut its periphery by the container wall. and a rotative l ad lixedly con ncctcd with the strip and ovcrlaying tho top oi the coilR Said head being adapted, on rotation to coil the strip more tightly lo relieve the pressure thereof against the containcr wall.

IQ. A container stopper comprising r n body includiimr a coiled strip of material and material enclosing the bottom and periplury of the coil-` said body being comprrssiblc by thc container wall. and the coil beine: adapted to be frictionally retained at its periphery by the container wall.` and a rotative Vhead fixedly connected with, the

strip and overlaying the top of the body,.

said head beingr adapted, on rotation, to coil the strip more tightly to relieve the pressure of the body against the container Wall.

13. A container stopper comprising a strip of material and a second strip of resilient material coiled together and conipressible by the container wall, the coil being adapted to be 'trictionally retained at its periphery by the container wall, and said strips being: adapted to be coiled more tightly to relieve the pressure thereof against the container Wall.

14. A container stopper comprisingr a strip of material and a second Strip ot' resilient material coiled together and compressible by the container Wall, the coil being adapted to be frictionally retained at its periphery by the container Wall, and a mem ber connected with the strips and adapted on rotation, to coil the strips more tightly to relieve the pressure thereoic against the container wall.

l5. A container stopper comprisinga Strip of material and a second strip ot resilient material coiled together and compres sible by the container Wall, the coil bein;r adapted to be frictionally retained at its periphery by the container wall. and a rotative head fixedly connected with the stri ps and overlying the top of the coil. said head being adapted. on rotation. to coil the strips more tightly to relieve the pressure thereof against the container Wall.

16. A container stopper' comprisingr a body includingr a strip of material and a second strip ot' resilient material coiled together and material enclosingr the bottom and periphery of the coil. said body being compressiblo by the container vwall and the coil being adapted to be frictionally retained at its periphery by the container wall. and a rotative head iixcdly connected with the strips and overlying;r thc top oiE the body. said head being adapted` on rotation. to voil the strips more tightly to ,ri-lieve the pressure o'l' the body against the container wall.

li'. A container stopper 'oiuprisinglr :i coiled strip oi material comprensible by tho container wall and adapted lo be VI'ricl iouailj; retained at its periphery by the container wall. a member engaging the strip intlrv mediate` its ends, and a head (ixrd to said member and adapted` on rotntioin to coil the strip more` tightly to relierc the pressure thereof agninsl th container wall.

1S. A container stopper comprising' -i strip ot material and a second strip of rw. allient material coiled together und com prcssiblc by the vonainer wall. the oil boing adapted to be trictionally retained :el its periphery by the coolninor n'nll, :1 nu-mbrr engaging thel strips intermediate their ends,

and a` head fixed to said member and adaptcd, on rotation, to coil the strips more tightly to relieve the pressure thereotI against the container Wall.

19. A container stopper having an axially inextensble body comprising a coiled strip ot material, the body having a normal form adapting it to be forced into a container to effect a fluid-tight closure thereof, the strip being adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, and a member engaging the strip adapted, on rotative movement, to coil the strip more tightly, whereby the body will be released from a container, and, on remoral, will assume its normal form.

20. A container stopper having an axially incxtensible bodv comprising a coiled strip ot material. the body having a normal form adapting it to be forced into a container to effect a fluid-tight closure thereo, the strip being adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, a shaft engaging,r the strip, and a head secured to the shaft and adapted, on rotativo movement. to coil the strip more tightly, whereby the body will be released from a container, and, on removal, will assume its normal form.

21. A container stopper having an axially inextensible body comprising a coiled strip of material, the body having a normal form adapting it to be forced into a container to effect a fluid-tight closure thereof, the strip being adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, a shaft engaging the strip, and a head secured to the shaft and closely overlying the top of the body and adapted, on rotative movement, to coil the strip more tightly, whereby the bot v Will be released from a container, and, on removal, Will assume its normal form.

22. A container stopper having an axially inextensible body comprising tvro strips of material coiled together, one ot' the strips beingr resilient material, the body having a normal form adapting it to he forced into a container to effecta. tlaid-tight closure thereof, the strips beingr adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, a shaft engaging the strips, and a head secured to the shaft and adapted, on rotative movement, to coil the strips more tightly, whereby the body will be released from a container, and, on removal, will assume its normal form.

23. A container stopper having an axially inextensible body comprising two strips of material coiled together, one of the strips being resilient material, and protective material enclosing the end and peripher of the coil, the body having a normal orm adapting it to be forced into a container to eifect a fluid-tight closure thereof, the strips being adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, a shaft engaging the strips, and a head secured to the shaft and adapted, on rotative movement, to coil the strips more tightly, whereby the body will be released from a container, and, on removal, Will assume its normal form.

24. A container stopper havinga an axially inextensible body comprising tivo strips o i1V material coiled together, one of the strips beingr resilient material, the inner end and periphery of the body being covered With protective material, the body having a normal form adapting it to he forced into a container to eri-'lect a flaidftight closure thereof, the strips being adapted thereafter to be coiled more tightly, a shaft engaging the strips, and a head secured to the shaft and closely overlying;r the top of the body and adapted, on rotative, movement, to coil. the strips more tightly, whereby the body will be released from a container. and, on removal, will assume its normal form.

25. A container stopper having an axially inextensil'ile body comprising a coiled strip of material, the body having a normal form adapting it to he forced into a container to effect a fluid-tight closure thereof, and a member engaging the strip adapted, on rotative movement, to render the stopper removable trom a container Without axial distortion of the stopper.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification.

HERBERT J. BRAGDON. 

